Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited announced todayit is entering the global excess casualty insurance market with adedicated underwriting unit based in Dublin.

Aspen said the unit will focus on construction and global riskmanaged programs. It added that a notification has been made to theUK Financial Services Authority under a European passport, toestablish a branch in Dublin.

By late November, Aspen said it anticipates commencingunderwriting, subject to meeting the necessary regulatoryrequirements.

The firm said its Dublin team will be led by Bob Patten, who hasmore than 15 years of experience underwriting excess casualty. Mr.Patten is to join Aspen on Nov. 15.

Aspen said it anticipates that within three years the Dublinbranch will generate gross written premiums of around $70 millionand employ up to 10 staff.

Chris O'Kane, Aspen's chief executive officer, explained thatopening a Dublin office “reflects Aspen's strategy of continuing toselectively diversify our business portfolio and complements ourexisting operations in specialty casualty insurance within ourSpecialty Lines segment.”

Aspen Insurance UK Limited trades under the names of AspenInsurance and Aspen Re, writing a range of specialty insurance andreinsurance lines. Aspen Re is a wholly owned subsidiary of AspenInsurance Holdings Limited